Modular valve assembly

ABSTRACT

A wet piping system modular valve assembly includes a single piece valve body with a check valve within the valve body. The check valve is movable between a closed position and an open position according to a pressure differential across the check valve. A drain valve is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body downstream of the check valve. A mechanically independent flow detection switch is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/373,626, titled “Modular Control Valve Assembly”,filed on Aug. 11, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a fluid flow valveassembly, and more particularly to a valve assembly for a sprinkler wetstandpipe used to monitor and optionally control water released todownstream sprinklers of a fire suppression sprinkler system.

Fire suppression sprinkler systems designed for protection of commercialand non-commercial properties include some combination or all of acontrol valve, a check valve, a water flow detection switch, a testvalve, a drain valve and a pressure relief valve. A control valve isutilized to allow water flow to the sprinklers downstream thereof to beshut off, e.g., for maintenance purposes. A check valve retains fluidand pressure downstream in the fire protection system so that duringperiods such as supply side system maintenance, fluid and pressure areretained in the system downstream of the check valve. A flow detectionswitch is utilized at least to sound an alarm when the sprinklers areactivated. A test valve is utilized for testing of the sprinkler systemand a drain valve is utilized for draining the sprinkler system, e.g.,also for maintenance purposes. A pressure relief valve is utilized toensure that the water pressure within the sprinkler system does notsurpass a safe level.

These items are available individually from various commercialsuppliers. Conventionally, the test and drain valves, the pressurerelief valve and the water flow detection switch are mounted separatelyto respective conduits along a large manifold/network of pipingproximate the control valve and/or check valve during installation ofsprinkler systems. Consequently, the manifold of piping of the sprinklersystem has a relatively large footprint, is costly to manufacture and isboth time consuming, complicated and costly to assemble. As one example,the largest sprinkler system control valves (eight inches or more indiameter), in combination with the piping manifold, conduits andaccessories mounted thereon, typically weigh several hundred pounds.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to manufacture a modular valveassembly having a compact footprint, with the control valve, the checkvalve, the flow detection switch, the test valve, the drain valve and apressure relief module, or some combination thereof, mounted thereto,thereby eliminating the large manifold of piping and the associatedfootprint, as well as minimizing the cost and time of manufacture andcomplex assembly thereof.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, one aspect of the present invention is directed to a wetpiping system modular valve assembly. The assembly comprises a singlepiece valve body having a check valve within the valve body. The checkvalve is movable between a closed position and an open positionaccording to a pressure differential across the check valve. A drainvalve is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected withthe valve body downstream of the check valve. A mechanically independentflow detection switch is removably mounted to the valve body and fluidlyconnected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a wet pipingsystem modular valve assembly comprising a single piece valve bodyhaving a control valve within the valve body. The control valve has aselectively rotatable control arm operatively coupled therewith to movethe control valve between an open position, permitting fluid flow acrossthe control valve, and a closed position, substantially preventing fluidflow across the control valve. A drain valve is removably mounted to thevalve body and fluidly connected with the valve body downstream of thecontrol valve. A mechanically independent flow detection switch isremovably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valvebody upstream of the drain valve.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a wet pipingsystem modular valve assembly comprising a single piece valve body and aspool pipe removably connected to the valve body. A check valve islocated within the valve body and is movable between a closed positionand an open position according to a pressure differential across thecheck valve. A drain valve is removably mounted to the valve body andfluidly connected with the valve body downstream of the check valve. Amechanically independent flow detection switch is removably mounted tothe spool pipe and fluidly connected with the valve body upstream of thecheck valve and the drain valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of preferred embodiments of theinvention will be better understood when read in conjunction with theappended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the inventionis not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front and side view of a two piece modularcontrol valve assembly according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the modular control valve assemblyof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the modular control valve assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the modular control valve assemblyof FIG. 1, taken along the sectional line A-A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the module control valveassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective front and side view of a three piece modularcontrol valve assembly according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein a check valve assembly is comprised of a valve bodyand a separate spool pipe;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a modular control valve assemblyaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein a flowdetection switch is positioned between a check valve and a test, drainand pressure relief module;

FIG. 8 is a perspective front and side view of a modular control valveassembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,wherein the check valve takes the form of a combination check andcontrol valve;

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of the modular control valve assemblyof FIG. 8, taken along the sectional line B-B of FIG. 8, wherein theflow detection switch is positioned upstream of both the check valve andthe test, drain and pressure relief module, and wherein an actuator armoperatively associated with the check valve is oriented in a firstposition thereof;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the modular control valve assemblyof FIG. 8, taken along the sectional line B-B of FIG. 8, wherein theflow detection switch is positioned upstream of both the check valve andthe test, drain and pressure relief module, and wherein the actuator armis oriented in a second position thereof;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration of themodular control valve assembly of FIG. 8, taken along the sectional lineB-B of FIG. 8, wherein the flow detection switch is positioned betweenthe check valve and the test, drain and pressure relief module, andwherein the actuator arm is oriented in the first position thereof;

FIG. 11 is a perspective front and side view of a modular control valveassembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,wherein the control valve assembly does not include a pressure actuatedcheck valve and wherein the flow detection switch is positioned betweenthe control valve and the test, drain and pressure relief module; and

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective front and side view of an alternativeconfiguration of the modular control valve assembly of FIG. 11, whereinthe flow detection switch is positioned upstream of the control valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top”designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Thewords “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer todirections toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center ofthe control valve assembly, and designated parts thereof, in accordancewith the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, theterms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but insteadshould be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes thewords noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

It should also be understood that the terms “about,” “approximately,”“generally,” “substantially” and like terms, used herein when referringto a dimension or characteristic of a component of the invention,indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strictboundary or parameter and does not exclude minor variations therefromthat are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references thatinclude a numerical parameter would include variations that, usingmathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g.,rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturingtolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate likeelements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5 a piping system modularvalve assembly (“MVA”), generally designated 10, in accordance with afirst preferred embodiment of the present invention. Generally, the MVA10 is utilized in a wet standpipe (not shown) for a multi-floor propertysprinkler system (not shown). As should be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art, the wet standpipe extends generallyvertically through the floors of the property, and an MVA 10 branchesoff of the standpipe at each of the respective floors. Each MVA 10 of arespective floor connects water in the standpipe with the sprinklers onthat respective floor. The MVA 10 may also control draining of thesprinkler system for testing and maintenance, and where the MVA 10includes a control valve (as described in detail further below), the MVA10 may also control shutting off water flow to the sprinklers, e.g., atthe end of a fire.

The MVA 10 of FIGS. 1-5 is comprised of two main components: an upstreamcontrol assembly 12 in series with a downstream check valve assembly 14,connected together by a mechanical coupling 16 in a manner wellunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The control assembly12 defines a main inlet 12 a of the MVA 10 at a base end thereof(according to the orientation of the MVA 10 depicted in FIGS. 1, 2) forreceiving water from the wet standpipe, and the check valve assembly 14defines a main outlet 14 b of the MVA 10 at an uppermost end thereof(according to the same orientation of the MVA 10 depicted in FIGS. 1,2), through which water exits from the MVA 10 to the sprinklers (notshown). In the illustrated embodiment, both ends 12 a, 14 b haverespective outer peripheral grooves for mating in a conventional fashionwith other fittings or pipe lengths. Alternatively, the ends 12 a, 14 bcould be threaded, flanged or the like for other types of conventionalmating.

The control assembly 12 controls manual shut-off of the MVA 10 formaintenance purposes or to turn off sprinklers once a fire event isextinguished. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in theart, aside from closing the MVA 10 for maintenance purposes the MVA 10should generally be fully open at all times in order to ensure properwater flow to the sprinklers in the event of an emergency.

In the illustrated embodiment, the control assembly 12 includes abutterfly control valve 15 having a generally tubular valve body 18 witha butterfly valve disk 19 and an endless, e.g., annular, seal 17therein, the annular seal 17 functioning as a valve seat for thebutterfly disk 19 in a closed position thereof. The term “butterflyvalve,” as used herein, is sufficiently broad to cover any valve havinga generally disk-shaped closure that is pivotable about an axis along across-section of a pipe, i.e., perpendicular to the direction of fluidflow, to regulate fluid flow. The valve body 18 defines the inlet end 12a at one end thereof and an opposing outlet end 12 b at the other endthereof, which is in fluid communication with an inlet end 14 a of thecheck valve assembly 14.

Openings 20 a and 20 b are oppositely provided in the sidewall of thevalve body 18, and sealingly receive components of a valve actuationassembly indicated generally at 22. The valve actuation assembly 22includes a hand wheel 24 (located outside of the valve body 18) having aplurality of spokes 24 a, operatively connected with the butterfly disk19 (located inside the valve body 18) in a conventional manner, e.g.,via a control arm 25. As should be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art, the butterfly disk 19 is rotatable about an axis across thediameter of the valve body 18 between a closed position (not shown) (thedisk 19 being oriented perpendicular to the direction of fluid flowthrough the valve body 18), substantially preventing fluid flow throughthe valve body 18, and an open position (FIG. 4) (the disk 19 beingoriented generally parallel or non-perpendicularly to the direction offluid flow through the valve body 18), permitting fluid flow through thevalve body 18.

Clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the hand wheel 24 pivots thebutterfly valve disk 19 between the open and closed positions thereof ina manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art,corresponding to open and closed configurations of the control MVA 10,respectively. Accordingly, to manually shut-off the MVA 10, e.g., formaintenance purposes or to turn off sprinklers after a fire event isextinguished, a user rotates the hand wheel 24 to rotate the butterflyvalve disk 19 into the closed position thereof. To return the MVA 10into the normal operating condition thereof (FIG. 4), the user rotatesthe hand wheel 24 in the opposite direction to rotate the butterflyvalve disk 19 back to the open position thereof.

Optionally, the valve actuation assembly 22 may further include aconventional, commercially available, worm gear transmission (not-shown)between the valve hand wheel 24 and the butterfly disk 19, to provide areduction ratio. As should be understood, a worm gear transmissionprovides the necessary mechanical advantage to manually open and closethe control assembly 12 under the operating pressure thereof.

The control assembly 12 is also provided in a conventional fashion withone or more internal supervisory switches 26, i.e., a tamper evidentswitch, which operate(s) in a manner well understood by those ofordinary skill in the art, and which is operatively connected to thecontrol assembly 12 in a conventional manner. As one example, withoutlimitation, the supervisory/tamper switch 26 can be actuated by a cam(not shown), within the valve actuation assembly 22, operativelyconnected to a valve stem (not shown) of the control assembly 12 in aconventional fashion so as to change the state of the switch 26 within apredetermined number of turns of the hand wheel 24. The supervisoryswitch 26 is also connected in a manner well understood by those ofordinary skill in the art to a monitoring system (not shown), whichproduces a warning signal to energize an alarm, turn on a light, or thelike in the event an unauthorized person starts to open or close thecontrol assembly 12 of the MVA 10.

Turning to the check valve assembly 14 as shown in FIGS. 1-5, theassembly 14 defines a generally tubular, single piece, e.g., integral,unitary and monolithic, valve body 34. The single piece valve body 34fluidly connects or houses three main components of the MVA 10 as willbe described in further detail below: a flow detection switch 28, acheck valve 30, and a test, drain and pressure relief module 32. In theillustrated embodiment, the check valve 30 takes the form of a clappervalve. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art,however, the check valve 30 is not limited to a clapper valve, and maytake the form of other one-way valves substantially preventing backflowof liquid, currently known or that later become known, capable ofperforming the functions of the check valve 30 described herein.

The check valve 30 is positioned within the valve body 34, and includesan endless, e.g., annular, valve seat 30 a and a removable clapper disk30 b which is pivotable between open (not shown) and closed (FIG. 4)positions according to the water pressure differential across theclapper disk 30 b. In the closed position of the check valve 30, theclapper disk 30 b sealingly engages the valve seat 30 a, and in the openposition of the check valve 30, the clapper disk 30 b is pivotedupwardly away from the valve seat 30 a and water is permitted to flowthrough the check valve 30 from the inlet side 14 a to the outlet side14 b. A biasing member 30 c, e.g., a torsion spring, pivotably mountedto the inside of the valve body 34 is attached to the clapper disk 30 b.The spring 30 c exerts a predetermined spring force on the clapper disk30 b to maintain the clapper disk 30 b in sealed engagement with thevalve seat 30 a. The spring force of the spring 30 c may be overcome bya pressure differential across the clapper disk 30 b that results in aforce against the clapper disk 30 b that is greater than the springforce and opposite in direction.

As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, becausethe MVA 10 is fluidly connected to a wet standpipe, the valve body 34 isfilled with water and pressurized at all times. Water pressuredifferential across the valve 30 also maintains the clapper disk 30 b inthe closed position, i.e., water pressure is greater on the downstreamside than the upstream side. When the sprinkler system is activated by athermal event, e.g., a fire, a decrease in the water pressure on thedownstream side of the valve 30, resulting from spraying of thesprinklers, causes a pressure differential across the clapper disk 30 bthat equates to a force greater than the spring force of the spring 30c, and, therefore, pivots the clapper disk 30 b to the open position forwater to flow through the valve 30 and to the sprinklers.

In the illustrated embodiment, an opening (not shown) is provided in thesidewall of the valve body 34, proximate the location of the check valve30. The opening is sized and dimensioned to receive the check valve 30therethrough during assembly of the check valve 30 within the valve body34 (during manufacturing of the MVA 10). After the check valve 30 ismounted within the valve body 34, a removable cover plate 55 issealingly fastened to the valve body 34 in a manner well understood bythose of ordinary skill in the art to cover the opening, e.g., via athreaded engagement with the valve body 34. As should be understood bythose of ordinary skill in the art, however, the valve body 34 mayalternatively be constructed without the sidewall opening and thecorresponding cover plate 55, and the check valve 30 can be assembledwithin the valve body via other openings, such as, for example, withoutlimitation, via the inlet or outlet ends 14 a, 14 b of the valve body34.

The flow detection switch 28 is positioned in the check valve assembly14 upstream of the test, drain and pressure relief module 32 as will beexplained in further detail below. In the illustrated embodiments ofFIGS. 1-6, the flow detection switch 28 is also positioned upstream ofthe check valve 30. The flow detection switch 28 detects water flow fromthe inlet 12 a to the outlet 14 b of the MVA 10, and outputs anotification, e.g., sounding an alarm. Advantageously, positioning theflow detection switch 28 upstream of the test, drain and pressure reliefmodule 32 also permits the flow detection switch 28 to detect and notifywhen water is being drained out of the MVA 10 through the test, drainand pressure relief module 32 (described in further detail below).

In the illustrated embodiment, the flow detection switch 28 is aconventional lever-style pressure switch. The flow detection switch 28is mechanically independent of any valve within the MVA 10, i.e., theflow detection switch 28 is not mechanically coupled or linked to anyvalve within the MVA 10, and opening or closing of any valve within theMVA 10 does not mechanically actuate the flow detection switch 28. Asshown best in FIG. 4, the flow detection switch 28 is actuated by leverarm 28 a extending from the flow detection switch 28, through a port 36a and into the interior of the valve body 34. The lever arm 28 a extendsalong a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of water flowwithin the valve body 34. A rear end of the lever arm 28 a contacts anelectric switch 28 b which is connected with an alarm system (notshown). Water flow through valve body 34, across the lever arm 28 a,such as, without limitation, when the clapper disk 30 b (which is notmechanically linked to the lever arm 28 a) opens, moves, i.e., pivots,the lever arm 28 a and activates the switch 28 and sounds an alarm in amanner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The flow detection switch 28 includes an adjustable time delay 28 c,which is set to a predetermined period of time during which the switch28 must remain in the activated state prior to sounding an alarm,indicating that either the sprinklers are activated or that the test,drain and pressure relief module 32 is draining water out of the MVA 10.The time delay accounts for sporadic and temporary pressure surges inthe standpipe, without the sprinklers or the test, drain and pressurerelief module 32 actually being activated. As should be understood bythose of ordinary skill in the art, however, the flow detection switch28 is not limited to a lever-actuated flow detection switch. Forexample, without limitation, the flow detection switch 28 may take theform of a magnetically-actuated flow detection switch (not shown)triggered by magnetic detection of movement of the check valve 30 or thetest, drain and pressure relief module 32, a pressure-actuated flowdetection switch (not shown) triggered by differential pressure acrossthe check valve 30 or the test, drain and pressure relief module 32, andthe like.

Advantageously, the valve body 34 includes a first pair of generallyoppositely disposed, e.g., mirrored, ports 36 a, 36 b, extending througha sidewall of the valve body 34 and in fluid communication with theinterior of the valve body 34. The flow detection switch 28 isselectively, removably mountable to either of the ports 36 a, 36 b in amanner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment the flow detection switch 28 isbolted to the port 36 a. As should be understood however, the flowdetection switch 28 may be sealingly mounted to either of the ports 36a, 36 b via any of numerous different sealing attachment methodscurrently known or that later become known in the art, such as athreaded attachment, a bayonet style attachment or the like. The freeport of the first pair of ports 36 a, 36 b, i.e., not having the flowdetection switch 28 mounted thereto, is sealed shut with a removablesealing plug/adapter 38, such as, for example, without limitation, abolt or a threaded plug.

While the MVA 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 is vertically oriented, the MVA 10is often assembled in a horizontal configuration along the piping of asprinkler system. Therefore, in a “left to right” horizontalconfiguration of the MVA 10, i.e., water flowing in a left to rightdirection, one of the mirrored ports 36 a, 36 b is positioned on the topside of the valve body 34, and in an opposing “right to left” horizontalconfiguration of the MVA 10, i.e., water flowing in a right to leftdirection, the same one of the mirrored ports 36 a, 36 b becomespositioned on the bottom side of the valve body 34 (the other of theports 36 a, 36 b being on the top side). The flow detection switch 28should not be mounted to a bottom side of the valve body 34 becausesediment from the water flowing through the MVA 10 may collect on thebottom side of the valve body 34. Therefore, mounting of the flowdetection switch 28 on a bottom side of the valve body 34 may result insediment collecting nearby the lever arm 28 a, negatively affecting themovement and operation thereof. Additionally, even after draining of theMVA 10, some residual water may remain on the bottom side of ahorizontally oriented valve body 34, which is undesirable, for example,in the event that replacement of a flow detection switch 28 becomesnecessary, due to the presence of electrical components.

Accordingly, having two generally diametrically opposed ports 36 a, 36 bin the check valve assembly 14 to select from for mounting the flowdetection switch 28 thereto is advantageous, such that a user may mountthe flow detection switch 28 to the port 36 a or the port 36 b that ispositioned on the top side of the valve body 34 according to theorientation of the MVA 10 along the piping of a sprinkler system. It isalso advantageous to have mirrored ports 36 a, 36 b in a verticalassembly of the MVA 10 as some building settings may only allow room forthe flow detection switch 28 on one side of the check valve assembly 14.

Turning to the test, drain and pressure relief module 32, the test,drain and pressure relief features are combined into a single unit,fluidly connected with the valve body 34 of the check valve assembly 14downstream of flow detection switch 28 (and downstream of the checkvalve 30 in FIGS. 1-6) and upstream of the outlet 14 b of the MVA 10.The module 32 includes three fluidly connectable ports 42, 44, 46 and aninternal flow valve 40, which directs the flow between the three ports.In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 40 takes the form of a ballvalve (FIG. 4), but is not so limited. As should be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art, the valve 40 may take the form of anyvalve currently known, or that later becomes known, capable ofperforming the functions of the valve 40 described herein, such as aspool valve.

The first port 42 of the module 32 (labeled “test” in FIGS. 1, 2) isfluidly connected at an inlet side 42 a thereof to the check valveassembly 14 downstream from the check valve 30, and operates as theinlet port for the module 32. An outlet 44 b of the second port 44(labeled “off” in FIGS. 1, 2) is fluidly connected via external piping50 with the third port 46 for pressure relief (as will be explainedfurther below). The third port 46 (labeled “drain” in FIGS. 1, 2)fluidly connects the first port 42 with a drainage pipe (not shown), andoperates as the exit port for the module 32. A lever 48 controls theinternal flow valve 40.

When the lever 48 is oriented in the “test” position, the internal ballvalve 40 is oriented to be partially open or restricted between thefirst and third ports 42, 46, and fully closed to the second port 44.Accordingly, water from the check valve assembly 14 and the sprinklersflows into the module 32 from the first port 42 in a restricted mannerand exits the module 32 through the outlet 46 b of third port 46. Atransparent window 49, downstream of the inlet orifice 46 a, allows auser to see whether water is flowing into the third port 46. As shouldbe understood, the “test” position is utilized to check whether water ispresent in the MVA 10 and sprinkler piping as required.

When the lever 48 is oriented in the “drain” position, the internal ballvalve 40 is oriented to be fully open between the first and third ports42, 46, and fully closed to the second port 44. Accordingly, waterdrains out from the check valve assembly 14 and sprinklers and into themodule 32 in an unrestricted manner via the first port 42 and exits themodule 32 through the third port 46.

The drain position is utilized to drain water in the sprinkler piping ona respective floor, e.g., for maintenance.

When the lever 48 is oriented in the “off” position, the internal ballvalve 40 is oriented to be fully open between the first port 42 and thesecond port 44, and fully closed to the third port 46. A one-waypressure relief valve 45 is positioned downstream of the second port 44,between the inlet orifice 44 a and the piping 50. The pressure reliefvalve 45 preferably opens at a threshold pressure of approximately 175psi, but some other pressure could be used.

The lever is oriented in the “off position” during normal operation ofthe MVA 10. Therefore, if during normal operation of the MVA 10 thewater pressure therein exceeds 175 psi, the pressure relief valve 45 isopened and water flows from the check valve assembly 14, through thefirst port 46, through the pressure relief valve 45 in the second port44, and is diverted through external piping 50 to the third port 46 tobe drained. The purpose of the pressure relief valve 45 is to maintainappropriate water pressure at the top floors of a building without overpressurizing the bottom floors of the building.

As shown best in FIGS. 2-4, the valve body 34 includes a second pair ofgenerally oppositely disposed, e.g., mirrored, ports 52 a, 52 b,extending through a sidewall of the valve body 34 and in fluidcommunication with the interior of the valve body 34. The second pair ofports 52 a, 52 b are positioned downstream of the first pair of ports 36a, 36 b. The test, drain and pressure relief module 32 is selectively,removably mountable to either of the second ports 52 a, 52 b in a mannerwell understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, inthe illustrated embodiment the module 32 is threaded to the second port52 b. As should be understood, however, the module 32 may be mounted toeither of the second ports 52 a, 52 b via any of numerous differentsealing attachment methods currently known or that later become known inthe art. The free port of the second pair of ports 52 a, 52 b, nothaving the test, drain and pressure relief module 32 mounted thereto, issealed shut with a sealing plug/adapter 54.

As explained previously, the MVA 10 is often assembled in a horizontalconfiguration along the piping of a sprinkler system. In the “left toright” horizontal configuration of the MVA 10, one the second ports 52a, 52 b is positioned on the top side of the valve body 34, and in theopposing “right to left” horizontal configuration of the MVA 10, thesame one of the ports 52 a, 52 b becomes positioned on the bottom sideof the valve body 34 (the other of the ports 52 a, 52 b being on the topside).

The test, drain and pressure relief module 32 should be mounted to thebottom side of the valve body 34 for efficient drainage capability,i.e., the water drains better flowing downwardly under the force ofgravity. Accordingly, having two generally diametrically opposed secondports 52 a, 52 b in the check valve assembly 14 to select from formounting the test, drain and pressure relief module 32 thereto isadvantageous, such that a user may mount the test, drain and pressurerelief module 32 to the port 52 a or the port 52 b that is positioned onthe bottom side of the valve body 34 according to the orientation of theMVA 10 along the piping of a sprinkler system. It is also advantageousto have mirrored ports 52 a, 52 b in a vertical assembly of the MVA 10as some building settings may only allow room for the test, drain andpressure relief module 32 on one side of the check valve assembly 14.

Combining the test, drain and pressure relief systems into a singlemodule 32, as explained above, and mounting the flow detection switch 28and the test, drain and pressure relief module 32 directly to the MVA 10eliminates the need for a piping manifold, i.e., a network ofinterconnected pipes, positioned around the valve assembly. Rather, theMVA 10 may be directly fluidly connected at the inlet end 12 a thereofto the wet standpipe and directly fluidly connected at the outlet end 14b thereof to the sprinklers, with the flow detection switch 28 and thetest, drain and pressure relief module 32 directly attached.Advantageously, the footprint of sprinkler system piping is greatlyreduced with the elimination of the piping manifold, as well as theassociated time, cost and complexity of assembly. As should beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the test,drain and pressure relief valves may alternatively be separately andremovably attached to the MVA 10. Yet further, one or more of the test,drain and pressure relief valves may be separately attached to thepiping system network, upstream or downstream of the MVA 10 in aconventional manner.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the MVA 110. The referencenumerals of the present embodiment are distinguishable from those of theabove-described embodiment by a factor of one-hundred (100), butotherwise indicate the same elements as indicated above, except asotherwise specified. The MVA 110 of the present embodiment issubstantially similar to that of the earlier embodiment. Therefore, thedescription of certain similarities between the embodiments may beomitted herein for the sake of brevity and convenience, and, therefore,is not limiting.

A primary difference between the MVAs 10 and 110 is that the controlassembly 12 and the check valve assembly 14 of the MVA 10 are comprisedof two pieces, whereas the control assembly 112 and the check valveassembly 114 of the MVA 110 are comprised of three-pieces. As shown inFIG. 6, the check valve assembly 114 is comprised of a smaller singlepiece valve body 134 and a separate spool pipe 131 fluidly connectingthe valve body 134 with the control assembly 112. The valve body 134houses the check valve 130 and includes the second pair of ports (onlyone shown as 152 b) for mounting the test, drain and pressure reliefmodule 132 thereto (the pressure relief valve and the external pipingare not shown in FIG. 6). The spool pipe 131 includes the first pair ofports (only one shown as 136 a) for mounting the mechanicallyindependent flow detection switch 128 thereto. As shown, the upstreamend of the spool pipe 131 is connected with the control assembly 112 viaa mechanical coupling 116, and the downstream end of the spool pipe 131is connected with the valve body 134 via another mechanical coupling117.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the MVA 210. The referencenumerals of the present embodiment are distinguishable from those of theabove-described embodiment(s) by a factor of two-hundred (200), butotherwise indicate the same elements as indicated above, except asotherwise specified. The MVA 210 of the present embodiment issubstantially similar to that of the earlier embodiment(s). Therefore,the description of certain similarities between the embodiments may beomitted herein for the sake of brevity and convenience, and, therefore,is not limiting.

A primary difference between the MVAs 10, 110 and the MVA 210 is thelocation of the mechanically independent flow detection switch relativeto the check valve. As shown in FIG. 7 (the pressure relief valve andthe external piping are not shown in FIG. 7), the flow detection switch228 is positioned downstream of the check valve 230 (shownschematically) and remains upstream of the test, drain and pressurerelief module 232. Whether positioned upstream (as in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-6) or downstream (FIG. 7) of the check valve 230, the flowdetection switch 228 is capable of detecting water flow from the inlet212 a to the outlet 214 b of the MVA 210, and outputting a notification,e.g., sounding an alarm. The flow detection switch 228 remains upstreamof the test, drain and pressure relief module 232, and, therefore,remains capable of detecting and notifying when water is being drainedout of the MVA 210 through the test, drain and pressure relief module232.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate another embodiment of the MVA 310. The referencenumerals of the present embodiment are distinguishable from those of theabove-described embodiment(s) by a factor of three-hundred (300), butotherwise indicate the same elements as indicated above, except asotherwise specified. The MVA 310 of the present embodiment issubstantially similar to that of the earlier embodiment(s). Therefore,the description of certain similarities between the embodiments may beomitted herein for the sake of brevity and convenience, and, therefore,is not limiting.

A primary difference between the MVAs 10, 110, 210 and the MVA 310 isthat the check valve 330 of the MVA 310 takes the form of a combinationcheck and control valve, thereby eliminating the separate controlassembly 12, 112, 212 of the respective MVAs 10, 110, 210. As shown, thevalve body 334 further comprises an actuator arm 323 rotatably supportedin the valve body 334. The actuator arm 323 is rotatable between a firstposition (FIG. 9A) and a second position (FIG. 9B). In the firstposition thereof, the actuator arm 323 is oriented out of an operationalrange of movement of the check valve 330 such that the clapper disk 330b of the check valve 330 is freely movable between the open and closedpositions thereof according to the pressure differential across theclapper disk 330 b. In the second position of the actuator arm 323, theactuator arm 323 engages, orients and maintains the clapper disk 330 bof the check valve 330 in the closed position thereof, irrespective ofthe pressure differential across the clapper disk 330 b. A selectivelyrotatable control arm 325 (FIG. 8) is operatively coupled with theactuator arm 323 to move the actuator arm 323 between the first andsecond positions thereof. As one example of an actuator arm 323, withoutlimitation, the actuator arm 323 may take the form of the actuator armdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/298,758, filed Oct. 20,2016 and entitled “Control Valve Assembly,” which is assigned to theassignee of the present application and is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety, as if fully set forth herein.

Similarly to the check valve 330, the actuator arm 323 may be removablymounted in the valve body 334. For example, without limitation, one endof the actuator arm 323 may be removably journaled in a bore (not shown)of the valve body 334 opposite the mounting plate 355.

The opposing end of the actuator arm 323 extends into the valveactuation assembly 322 (FIG. 8), through the mounting plate 355.Therefore, the opening in the sidewall of the valve body 334 (not shown)is also sized and dimensioned to receive the actuator arm 323therethrough.

As shown, the mechanically independent flow detection switch 328 isremovably mounted to the valve body 334 upstream of the test, drain andpressure relief module 332. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 8-9B,the flow detection switch 328 is also mounted upstream of thecombination check and control valve 330, in like manner as explainedwith respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5. Alternatively, in anotherconfiguration, the flow detection switch 328 may alternatively beremovably attached to the valve body 334 between the test, drain andpressure relief module 332 and the combination check and control valve330, as shown in FIG. 10. The test, drain and pressure relief valves maybe combined into a single module 332 (as shown) or may alternatively beseparately and removably attached to the MVA 310. As a furtheralternative, one or more of the test, drain and pressure relief valvesmay be separately attached to the piping system network, upstream ordownstream of the MVA 310 in a conventional manner.

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate another embodiment of the MVA 410. The referencenumerals of the present embodiment are distinguishable from those of theabove-described embodiment(s) by a factor of four-hundred (400), butotherwise indicate the same elements as indicated above, except asotherwise specified. The MVA 410 of the present embodiment issubstantially similar to that of the earlier embodiment(s). Therefore,the description of certain similarities between the embodiments may beomitted herein for the sake of brevity and convenience, and, therefore,is not limiting.

A primary difference between the MVAs 10, 110, 210, 310 and the MVA 410is that the MVA 410 does not include a pressure actuated check valve.Rather, the three main components of the MVA 410 are a test, drain, andpressure relief module 432, a mechanically independent flow detectionswitch 428 and a control valve assembly 412 which controls manualshut-off of the MVA 410. Similarly to the MVA 10, the MVA 410 comprisesa valve body 418 with a control valve 415 within the valve body 418having a selectively rotatable control arm 425 operatively coupledtherewith to move the control valve 415 between an open position,permitting fluid flow across the control valve, and a closed position,substantially preventing fluid flow across the control valve 415.

The control valve may take the form of a butterfly control valve (FIG.4), but the disclosure is not so limited. Clockwise and counterclockwiserotation of the hand wheel 424 connected to the control arm 425 pivotsthe butterfly valve disk 419 between the open and closed positionsthereof in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in theart.

As shown in FIG. 11, a test, drain and pressure relief module 432 isremovably mounted to the valve body 418 downstream of the control valve415. A flow detection switch 428 is removably mounted to the valve body418 between the test, drain and pressure relief module 432 and thecontrol valve 415, as shown in FIG. 11. The test, drain and pressurerelief valves may be combined into a single module 432 (as shown) or mayalternatively be separately and removably attached to the MVA 410. Inthe illustrated embodiment of FIG. 11, the valve body 418 is a singlepiece valve body. Alternatively, in another configuration as shown inFIG. 12, the flow detection switch 428 may be removably mounted to thevalve body 418 upstream of the control valve 415. As a furtheralternative, one or more of the test, drain and pressure relief valvesmay be separately attached to the piping system network, upstream ordownstream of the MVA 410 in a conventional manner.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. In some embodiments, for example, withoutlimitation, the butterfly control valve may be positioned downstream ofthe check valve. As another example, without limitation, the controlassembly may be mounted downstream of the check valve assembly. Forexample, although the use of the present invention is disclosed as avalve assembly for fire protection sprinkler systems, it will beappreciated that the modular valve assemblies of the present inventionwould have wide application in the control and monitoring of otherfluids in other fields. It is understood, therefore, that this inventionis not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it isintended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A wet piping system modular valve assembly comprising asingle piece valve body; a check valve within the valve body, the checkvalve being movable between a closed position and an open positionaccording to a pressure differential across the check valve; a drainvalve removably mounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with thevalve body downstream of the check valve; and a mechanically independentflow detection switch removably mounted to the valve body and fluidlyconnected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.
 2. The valveassembly of claim 1, wherein the flow detection switch is fluidlyconnected to the valve body upstream of the check valve.
 3. The valveassembly of claim 1, wherein the flow detection switch is fluidlyconnected to the valve body downstream of the check valve.
 4. The valveassembly of claim 1, wherein the valve body includes a first pair ofgenerally oppositely disposed ports extending through a sidewall of thevalve body and in fluid communication with an interior of the valvebody, the flow detection switch being selectively mountable to eitherone of the first pair of ports.
 5. The valve assembly of claim 4,wherein one port of the first pair of ports that is not mounted with theflow detection switch is sealed shut with a removably mounted sealingadapter.
 6. The valve assembly of claim 4, wherein the valve bodyincludes a second pair of generally oppositely disposed ports extendingthrough a sidewall of the valve body and in fluid communication with aninterior of the valve body, the second pair of ports being positioneddownstream of the first pair of ports, and the drain valve beingremovably coupled to either one of the second pair of ports.
 7. Thevalve assembly of claim 6, wherein one port of the second pair of portsthat is not coupled with the drain valve is sealed shut with a removablymounted sealing adapter.
 8. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein thecheck valve comprises an endless valve seat within the valve body and aclapper disk removably and pivotably mounted within the valve body, theclapper disk being in sealed engagement with the valve seat in theclosed position thereof and the clapper disk being spaced away from thevalve seat in the open position thereof.
 9. The valve assembly of claim8, wherein the check valve further comprises a biasing member to biasthe clapper disk into the closed position.
 10. The valve assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the drain valve, the check valve and a flow detectionswitch comprise a check valve assembly, and wherein the modular valveassembly further comprises a control assembly in fluid communicationwith the check valve assembly positioned upstream of the single piecevalve body, the control assembly including a valve body having a controlvalve therein, and a selectively rotatable control arm operativelycoupled with the control valve to move the control valve between an openposition, permitting fluid flow through the control valve, and a closedposition, substantially preventing fluid flow through the control valve.11. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the control valve is abutterfly valve.
 12. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the flowdetection switch is fluidly connected to the valve body downstream ofthe control valve and upstream of the check valve.
 13. The valveassembly of claim 10, wherein the flow detection switch is fluidlyconnected to the valve body downstream of both the check valve and thecontrol valve.
 14. The valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising anactuator arm rotatably supported in the valve body, the actuator armbeing rotatable between a first position wherein the actuator arm isoriented out of an operational range of movement of the check valve suchthat the check valve is freely movable between the open and closedpositions thereof according to the pressure differential across thecheck valve, and a second position wherein the actuator arm engages andmaintains the check valve in the closed position thereof irrespective ofthe pressure differential across the check valve; and a selectivelyrotatable control arm operatively coupled with the actuator arm to movethe actuator arm between the first and second positions thereof.
 15. Thevalve assembly of claim 14, wherein the valve body includes an openingin a sidewall thereof, the opening being sized and dimensioned to clearpassage of the check valve and the actuator arm therethrough, whereinthe modular valve assembly further comprises a mounting plate removablyand sealingly mountable on the valve body to cover the opening.
 16. Thevalve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve body includes an opening ina sidewall thereof, the opening being sized and dimensioned to clearpassage of the check valve therethrough, wherein the modular valveassembly further comprises a mounting plate removably and sealinglymountable on the valve body to cover the opening.
 17. The valve assemblyof claim 1, further comprising a test valve and a pressure relief valve,each coupled to the valve body.
 18. The valve assembly of claim 17,wherein the test, drain and pressure relief valves are combined into asingle module.
 19. A wet piping system modular valve assembly comprisinga single piece valve body; a control valve within the valve body havinga selectively rotatable control arm operatively coupled therewith tomove the control valve between an open position, permitting fluid flowacross the control valve, and a closed position, substantiallypreventing fluid flow across the control valve; a drain valve removablymounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve bodydownstream of the control valve; and a mechanically independent flowdetection switch removably mounted to the valve body and fluidlyconnected with the valve body upstream of the drain valve.
 20. The valveassembly of claim 19, wherein the flow detection switch is fluidlyconnected to the valve body upstream of the control valve.
 21. The valveassembly of claim 19, wherein the flow detection switch is fluidlyconnected to the valve body downstream of the control valve.
 22. Thevalve assembly of claim 19, wherein the valve body includes a first pairof generally oppositely disposed ports extending through a sidewall ofthe valve body and in fluid communication with an interior of the valvebody, the flow detection switch being selectively mountable to eitherone of the first pair of ports.
 23. The valve assembly of claim 22,wherein one port of the first pair of ports that is not mounted with theflow detection switch is sealed shut with a removably mounted sealingadapter.
 24. The valve assembly of claim 22, wherein the valve bodyincludes a second pair of generally oppositely disposed ports extendingthrough a sidewall of the valve body and in fluid communication with aninterior of the valve body, the second pair of ports being positioneddownstream of the first pair of ports, and the drain valve beingremovably coupled to either one of the second pair of ports.
 25. Thevalve assembly of claim 24, wherein one port of the second pair of portsthat is not coupled with the drain valve is sealed shut with a removablymounted sealing adapter.
 26. The valve assembly of claim 19, wherein thecontrol valve is a butterfly valve.
 27. The valve assembly of claim 19,further comprising a test valve and a pressure relief valve, eachcoupled to the valve body.
 28. The valve assembly of claim 27, whereinthe test, drain and pressure relief valves are combined into a singlemodule.
 29. A wet piping system modular valve assembly comprising asingle piece valve body and a spool pipe removably connected to thevalve body; a check valve within the valve body, the check valve beingmovable between a closed position and an open position according to apressure differential across the check valve; a drain valve removablymounted to the valve body and fluidly connected with the valve bodydownstream of the check valve; and a mechanically independent flowdetection switch removably mounted to the spool pipe and fluidlyconnected with the valve body upstream of the check valve and the drainvalve.
 30. The valve assembly of claim 29, wherein the valve body andthe spool pipe comprise a check valve assembly, and wherein the modularvalve assembly further comprises a control assembly in fluidcommunication with the check valve assembly and positioned upstreamthereof, the spool pipe fluidly connecting the valve body with thecontrol assembly, and the control assembly including a valve body havinga control valve therein, and a selectively rotatable control armoperatively coupled with the control valve to move the control valvebetween an open position, permitting fluid flow through the controlvalve, and a closed position, substantially preventing fluid flowthrough the control valve.